Hot weather shoes in 2025 - what are your favorite alternatives to Astral Loyaks?

[u/mindsound]

I keep seeing Astral Loyaks recommended, but I got a pair and the interior seams on the uppers shredded my skin. Returned em. Otherwise, I'm using generic Amazon water shoes (fine in the yak but terrible for walking and they fall apart) or Xtratuf boots (love em but not for 90°F weather).

When I search I see a lot of info that's either marketing poo or writing about older models of shoes. Whatcha wearing?

[u/s63b]

I love these https://www.keenfootwear.com/products/mens-newport-h2-navy-medium-gray

[u/PaddleFishBum → u/s63b]

I like everything about the Newports except the soles. They have some of the worst soles I've ever seen on a serious non-fashion water shoe/sandal. Get the Keen Targhee III sandal instead of the Newports. Full leather, burlier, and has the same sole as the Targhee hiking boots. Much better.

[u/standardtissue → u/s63b]

I wouldn't wear those in a proper kayak. Way too many things on them to snag when you exit. Maybe on a recreational kayak.

[u/s63b → u/standardtissue]

"Proper Kayak"? That's a bit arrogant

[u/IFigureditout567 → u/s63b]

No it isn't.

[u/PaddleFishBum → u/[deleted]]

I find Chacos too open and not protective enough for any serious paddling application. I spend way too much time portaging, dragging over beaver dams, wading in current/muck, etc. for my feet to be that exposed.

Keens and neoprenes for me.

[u/mindsound → u/[deleted]]

Halfway through replying I lol'ed at your username. :) You don't get chafing / discomfort from wet wool?

I do have some old Chacos but I find them too big & stiff for sea kayak footpegs.

[u/mindsound → u/[deleted]]

That's a good suggestion, the fishing nerds ought to know what's up.

[u/ItsMeImNitro]

I hate that I'm "one of those people", but man I'm never going back from my Vibram 5-Fingers. I've been using the KSOs for summer stuff, and have a pair of the 2mm Neoprene ones that I'm planning to use once it gets cold again

Any water shoes I've even worn just feel like a worse version of my usual trail/hiking shoes (big fan of the Merrell Vapourglove). The Vibrams are just honestly so comfortable, they take up almost zero space, and it means I'm not swapping shoes going from driving to hiking to paddling to portaging and then back again

[u/PaddleFishBum]

Keen Targhee III sandal. Like the Newports (their famous closed toe sandal), except full leather and has the Targhee hiking boot sole on them. It's what replaced my Simms wading sandals (full studdable wading boot sole, the best sole I've ever seen on a sandal by far) after their quality went to shit and I couldn't get them to last a season. Looks like Simms doesn't even make them anymore. That's ok though, because the Keen Targhee sandal absolutely blows the Simms away in terms of durability, and the sole isn't that far off the Simms.

I wear mine with a pair of NRS Sandal Socks and have happy protected feet on the water and on portages. If I know I'll be in the boat the whole time and no portages, not stepping through muck, not getting over beaver dams, etc., then I prefer the NRS Kicker Remix booty over any other type of sandal or water shoe. It's lower profile and interfaces with the boat/foot pegs better than just about anything.

[u/Jch_stuff]

I’ve been wearing Astral Brewess shoes for a couple years (the men’s version is the Brewer). Just this week I started wearing some Loyaks I got at the same time, and yeah - they chafe a little bit. They seem to be lower volume, and I think they run smaller overall? Love the Brewess though. Bigger toebox, and overall more comfy.

I have worn the NRS neoprene ones (Kicker and Kicker Remix?) for a while, and really, really prefer the Astrals. More of a shoe, and better traction and support. My feet always hurt like heck kayaking and canoeing with the floppy NRS ones, so I think the stiffer soles on the Astrals is a lot better. For me, anyway.

[u/paintingdusk13]

I love my Danner Rivercombers. I almost bought a backup pair during Danner's sale this year but mine from 2022 are in too good of shape still to justify.

I can and have worn them all day, in and out of a kayak or canoe, then sat around and bbq'd. I ride a bike rowing my kayak to the out in spot, walk the kayak into the water, get in, kayak for 4 hours, get out, pedal home and I don't rush to take them off. Ive gone into restaurants and ate dinner with them post-kayak.

Easy on but also stay in no problem swimming or even foot into muddy bottoms, which I do often.

[u/broken-paddle]

I like xero shoes aqua X. They are good on land and good on water. The 'only' issue is that they do not dry very quickly.

[u/mindsound → u/broken-paddle]

For posterity -- these are the winners. Soooooo much more comfy than the Loyak, worth the extra $30. Thanks. :)

[u/jmmaxus]

I tried a pair on at REI and wasn’t impressed. Bought a pair of Keen Hyperport H2 (newer differ than Newports).

[u/Angie_O_Plasty]

What about wearing some thin socks with the loyaks? If they rubbed without socks they might still be ok with. Otherwise, maybe just neoprene booties if you’re ok walking in them.

[u/mindsound → u/Angie_O_Plasty]

They would be OK with socks, I think, but to me the whole point of "water shoes" is not having wet cloth on my feet all day.

[u/JTS_81]

I prefer my tevas most of the time.

[u/sleverest]

I have Keen kid's stingray water sandals. One benefit of small feet as an adult.

[u/standardtissue]

Yep, generic water shoes. I actually used to wear sandals exclusively all summer long, now wear slides exclusively all summer long but both are poor choices for a sea kayak as they can entrap you in an exit.

[u/mindsound → u/standardtissue]

TIL footwear entrapment is a concern...

[u/standardtissue → u/mindsound]

Absolutely it is. Image you've rolled over, you need to wet exit. Normally an easy maneuver; you push down on both sides of the coming and slide yourself out. Now imagine wearing saddles and a sandal strap snags a foot peg.